Sure it’s entertaining, sometimes shocking, and often educational. But did you know television also provides a social service? Families, friends, and strangers often gather together to catch episodes of their favorite television shows, an experience which often leads to discussions and bonding. Beautiful, no? Do you have a tradition like this for your favorite show?

Some are small gatherings—an intimate pocket of three, occasionally four, on a sofa sharing an evening and the latest episode of “The Bachelor” or “Lost.”

Some are unwieldy crowds—a packed lounge in Chicago, where viewers crane to follow “Desperate Housewives,” when they’re not taking in the female impersonators who mimic the women of Wisteria Lane during commercial breaks.

Those who study TV and pop culture say these gatherings over a favorite show come out of two things: the desire for more shared experiences and the types of programs being produced today.

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